How much does the Everest Base Camp trek cost, and what's included?

Reaching Everest Base Camp at 5,364 metres is a dream for many people. And the first question almost everyone asks is simple: how much does it cost? The honest answer is “it depends”, because there are offers for €1,000 and others for more than €5,000. In this article we explain where those differences come from, what you should expect in an offer and how much the INFINITY expedition costs, led by Pedro Queirós, the sixth Portuguese to stand on the summit of Everest.

How much does the Everest Base Camp trek cost on average?

Prices vary a lot:

• Local agencies in Nepal, without international flights: usually between €2,000 and €2,500. They normally include a guide, porters, lodges and permits, but rarely insurance, preparation before the trip or support in your own language.
• European operators with their own guide: between €3,000 and €5,000, depending on group size, comfort in Kathmandu and how you get back.
• International flights (Europe–Kathmandu, return): extra, usually between €700 and €1,200, depending on the season and how early you book.

These are market estimates. What really matters is what is included.

What a good offer should include

Before comparing prices, check that the offer includes:

• Entry permits for Sagarmatha National Park and the Khumbu Pasang Lhamu municipality.
• The domestic flight Kathmandu–Lukla, the gateway to the Khumbu valley.
• A qualified guide and porters, with insurance for the local team.
• Accommodation in Kathmandu and in the mountain lodges, and meals during the trek.
• Acclimatisation days. A short programme looks cheaper, but it increases the risk of altitude sickness.
• Insurance with high-altitude rescue. A helicopter rescue can cost thousands of euros.
• The Nepal visa.

How much the INFINITY expedition costs

The Everest Base Camp Elite Program costs €3,850 per person, VAT included. It lasts 14 days, with 9 days of trekking and 4 in Kathmandu, for a group of no more than 14 people.

Two weeks instead of three: the value of the helicopter flight back

Most Everest Base Camp programmes walk back down to Lukla. That means three or four more days of hiking along the same trail, and the trip ends up taking three weeks of holiday.

At INFINITY we know that time is the most precious thing for people who work. So the day after you reach Base Camp, you fly back to Kathmandu by private helicopter: in a few hours you fly over the valley that took you eight days to walk, with Everest and Ama Dablam outside the window. It is one of the most memorable moments of the trip.

The result: you live the full experience with only two weeks of holiday, with 9 days in the mountains and 4 in Kathmandu for culture, volunteering and celebrating with the group. It is one of the reasons why our price is a little higher than other programmes, and one of the things people who have done the trip value most.

What extra costs should you plan for?

Even with a complete offer, it is worth having a budget for:

• Tips: an important part of the income of guides and porters. Count on a few dozen euros per person for the team.
• Extras in the lodges: hot showers, phone charging, wi-fi and bottled water are paid separately.
• Equipment: if you don't have a sleeping bag, a down jacket or worn-in boots, this can be the biggest extra. Sleeping bags and trekking poles can be rented in Kathmandu.
• Travel clinic and vaccines, if your doctor recommends them.

How to compare offers without falling into traps

A low price can hide large groups, fewer acclimatisation days or insurance without rescue cover. Always ask:

1. How many acclimatisation days does the programme have?
2. Who leads the group, and what experience do they have at altitude?
3. Does the insurance cover helicopter rescue above 5,000 metres?
4. How do you get back, and how long does it take?
5. Is there support before the trip?

At INFINITY the itinerary includes two acclimatisation days, in Namche Bazaar and in Dingboche, and a helicopter flight back so the whole trip fits into two weeks.

Is it worth the investment?

You are not only paying for a trip: you are paying for the experience of reaching the foot of the highest mountain in the world and coming back with a new perspective on your own limits. With a small group, a leader who has stood on the summit and part of the price supporting local communities, it is worth even more.

Frequently asked questions